Four (including the thumb). Most stuff is just index and middle, alternating. Triplets sometimes get the ring involved. Slapping, I get the thumb. Popping might get ring, index, or middle, depending on the pattern. I also use the thumb and index together for doublestops. I have more control over the chords that way, and the notes ring out simultaneously.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How many fingers?
- Thread starter Rafterman
- Start date
I use my thumb, ring, middle,and index with chords and slapping & popping. But most of the time I use my index, and middle fingers.I have owed a bass four ten year,playing that's another story. 
i've been playing for just under five months and have managed to use my first three fingers proficiently through obsessive practice. I use all three all the time and i find it much quicker and these days have no trouble playing things like parallel universe by rhcp with my fingers cause i hate picks ah well
Seeya
Dermot
Seeya
Dermot
I use 2 or 3, (ring-middle-index)depending upon my mood. Two seems to sound better, but it feels akward with the ring finger hanging limp.
I use 4 on my left and three on my right. The majority of the time, I only use two on the right, but when I am playing quick licks I use the ring finger.
I use everything but the pinky. I am working on that one though. I play quite a bit and get tired, so the ring finger saves my ass quite often. I just learned to use my middle and ring to play most songs for when my index just gives out.
I got a compliment from a lowly guitarist when he noticed that, not only did I use all four fingers on my left or fretting hand, but he was intrigued by how far I had to stretch (like all of us bassists). Guess he never really watched a bassist fret before. I use index and middle on my pluckin' hand; ring finger comes in when the other two are sore. Trying to use all three on a more regular basis though. I want to get in the habit of using all three. Been playing a little over a year.
i use my index and middle for plucking, alternating left and right. and use my thumb, index and middle for popping and slapping. i have been playin since july 2000.
4 (thumb, index, middle and ring).
Thumb for slapping of course, ring for some faster triplets. When I need a steady sound and the song isn't too fast I use only my index finger.
I fret with all four fingers!!!
I play finger style and I use index, middle and ring fingers all equally, but in no particular order.
Been playin for 25 yrs......o.k. so I hacked for the first 20 or so !!!
I play finger style and I use index, middle and ring fingers all equally, but in no particular order.
Been playin for 25 yrs......o.k. so I hacked for the first 20 or so !!!
I play with index and middle 99% of the time. Sometimes the ring-finger gets a say in some fast tripplets. Slapping I use my thump (Surprise!) I tried at one time to work on using all three when I was playing 1/16 or 1/32 notes, but it never worked out. I think its a mess when you play rhythms dividable by 2, with 3 fingers. Its impossible to get the feel of the rhythm right.
Index, Middle, and Ring. I could never use my ring finger until one Mr. Steve Harris inspired me to do so. The Maiden songs just didn't sound right to me with two fingers. Also, I use my thumb for slapping, so I guess that's four fingers, even though I put 3 down on the poll. My bad.
I play with my ring and middle finger as well as the occasional thumb. I fret with all of my fingers, but not my thumb, that'll screw up your hand. I saw some dude in a Jane's Addiction video fretting with his thumb, and I was like a) CTS and b) it'd be easier just to have "proper" fingering... But whatever works for you works for you, that's all that's important
just my 3.5 cents,
dave
just my 3.5 cents,
dave
that was Bruce Lindfield, who was responding to my topic about using the thumb to fret notes (thumb hooked over the top of the neck as opposed to double bass style thumb fretting that John Turner said he sometimes uses).
I find fretting notes low on the neck with my thumb (usually when playing chords) quite comfortable (but I wear my bass low). actually the only times I've felt any strain recently was when attempting chords played high on the neck using conventional (approved) fretting, while playing sitting down........
I use all 5 on the fretting hand, and all 5 on the plucking hand too (pinky sometimes used for slapping, chords and I'm working on using it for 4-fingerstyle too- normally pluck with three or sometimes two fingers).
I've been playing 9 yrs.
It's rare I do, but I can use all 5 fingers on my right hand. Thumb for Slapping, Pinkie and Ring for Poppin', and Index + Middle for normal playing. Like I said, it's rare i do, but a few original songs my band plays require it. Most of the time, it's just thumb, middle, index. sometimes ring, but not usually. Also, on a kind of side note, I just learned this new technique, which requires alot more skill than i have, which involves reaching under the neck of the bass with your fretting hand, and sticking your thumb on a fret, giving your other 4 fingers an extremely long reach, and lots of accessability on the neck... I'm trying to kind of harness it, and see what i can do with it... Has anyone else heard of this?
Well, if i had realized there was a second page to this topic, I wouldn't have mentioned the left thumb thing... Jeeeeesus, that freaky.
ah, bass by telekinesis!
your strings would last forever.......
or you mean playing with a pick.
I use my thumb,index middle and ring, on my fret hand I use all my fingers . playing time is {now I feel old } 21 years,
I go ring-> middle-> index. If I want slap then I use my thumb and I use my index (and middle sometimes) to pop.
